[Siemens positions the cordless telephone as the integration point for home security and control applications.]

Hanover, Germany -- At CeBIT, Siemens Communications has introduced "Gigaset Home Control", a simple and cost-effective system that will be used to control any future home appliance. The Gigaset cordless telephone now can be adapted to manage household electronics and appliances from other manufacturers. A Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephony (DECT) module at the core of the system will be similarly integrated into devices ranging from lighting and security systems, intercoms, ranges to washing machines. This makes the new generation of cordless phones the central control device of the connected home, providing more security, convenience and energy cost savings. Alerts can furthermore be forwarded to mobile phones or outside fixed-line phones; easy menu functions let users control everything by remote. Siemens is offering the DECT module to home appliance manufacturers, which are interested to upgrade their products for use with the Gigaset Home Control system.

Multiple application scenarios

An integrated smart home control system offers considerable convenience: Is the front-door intercom linked to a cordless telephone? Can one check visitors and open the front door without getting up? It will soon be possible to operate all lighting and blinds with built-in wireless controls, without installing any cable. Individual light sources can also be controlled from anywhere in the house and garden with the Gigaset. Scenarios can be programmed and called up at the touch of a button, in the TV room, for example it might make sense to set the blinds to roll down and the lights to dim at the same time. Lamps can be centrally switched off when leaving the house. All these controls can also be operated remotely with a simple SMS to the Gigaset.

Intelligently networked devices also make daily housework a lot easier and provide mobility: At the end of a wash cycle, the washing machine in the basement will send a message to the Gigaset handset in the living room or, via the base station, an SMS to any mobile phone. It will also show from afar whether or not the stove is actually turned off. If it is not, it can easily be turned off with click.

The system is also perfectly suited for home security. To send an alarm notification to a mobile phone, it requires no special adapter but uses the Gigaset. If there is an intrusion alarm, fire alarm or flood alarm, the homeowner can set corresponding alarm notification preferences forwarding the alarm to perhaps a security company or a watchful neighbor.

Easy management

While the Gigaset handset serves as the display device and remote control unit, the Gigaset base station provides the link to the telephone network: to send and receive SMS and voice message. The portable handsets have a range of up to 50 meters indoors and up to 300 meters outdoors. Various ring and alarm tones are also available in addition to icons for status reports and menus. Operations are completed via the portable handsets’ numerical keypad and soft keys. Set up and configuration is as easy as connecting a DECT portable handset to a Gigaset base station. The management of the system can be carried out via intuitively designed menus.

A number of Gigaset telephones that support the Gigaset Home Control system have already been on the market since autumn 2004: the Gigaset C340, Gigaset S440, Gigaset SL440 and the Gigaset S645 as well as the isdn versions of these devices.

Exceptional compatibility and upgradeability

The Gigaset Home Control system is easy-to-install, cost-effective and can furthermore be upgraded according to individual requirements. Network-ready home appliances from Siemens identified with the brand "Siemens serve@Home" are available in specialty stores since 2004. They include stoves/ovens, cook tops, exhaust hoods, dish- washers, washing machines, clothes dryers, fridge/freezers and climate control systems, and the selection is constantly growing. Beginning in November 2005, basic functions of Siemens serve@Home like the shutting appliances on and off will also be able to be done via Gigaset Home Control. Information, status and alarms will then be displayed on the Gigaset cordless telephone or will be forwarded from the Gigaset base station to the mobile phone.

Also by the end of 2005, the cordless electronic installation technology GAMMA wave from Siemens Automation & Drives (A&D) will be available as an addition to the Gigaset Home Control system. The bridge between Gigaset Home Control and GAMMA wave is created with a switchable electrical outlet adapter that can be inserted into any available outlet; this lets electrical appliances or lamps be controlled via the cordless phone. The whole GAMMA wave portfolio, from light switches, dimmers to blind controls can be upgraded step-by-step. The security of the home can also be increased with GAMMA wave smoke detectors and door sensors.

One of the first Gigaset Home Control partners is WAREMA Renkhoff GmbH, the European market leader for sun protection systems. Several WAREMA sun protection products, including roll shutters, awnings, blinds or shades will be able to be managed by the Gigaset Home Control system by January of 2006. The number of these kinds of partnerships is steadily growing.

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